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Spring and summer spotlight on health

Aetna Health ConnectionsSM Disease Management Program

45.22.300.1-Spring E (3/13)

Lower your risk for heart disease and stroke

Heart disease and stroke are no match for a healthy lifestyle

Heart disease is the number one leading cause of death in the United States. Stroke is number four.1 But you can reduce your risks with a healthy lifestyle. Eating healthier, losing weight and exercising to lower your risks are not as hard as you think.

When it comes to your risks, take charge

Start by seeing your doctor and learning your risks:

•Get regular cholesterol and blood pressure checks

•Ask questions so you understand your medical treatment

•Tell your doctor if you are unable to fill your prescriptions

Know your numbers

•High blood pressure is the leading cause of stroke.2 Normal blood pressure is 120/80 mm Hg.3

•Cholesterol is a major cause of heart disease. Aim for less than 200 mg/dL.4

Small steps pay off big

With your doctor’s help, it’s easy to make healthy changes:

•Healthy eating can lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Cut back on salt, eat more veggies, and trade whole milk for 2% and red meat for fish.5

•Exercise helps outmuscle heart disease. Just walking 30 minutes a day makes a difference.6

•Weight is a factor in heart disease and stroke. Women should aim for a waist size under 35”; men under 40”.7

•Alcohol should be limited to two drinks daily for men; one for women.8

•Smoking? It is a huge risk factor! You can find help to quit through Aetna Navigator, iTriage or at http://www.intelihealth.com.

The support you need for heart health

Join the Million Hearts™ movement

Sometimes it is good to be one of many. Join the Million Hearts™ program. It was designed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes over five years. Joining is something you can feel good about.

Easy-to-use online tools

•Heart Attack Risk Calculator: Find out your 10-year heart attack risk. Enter your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, weight and if you smoke.

•My Life Check™: This uses the data above, plus your activity level and diet. Learn what you are doing well and how you can do better.

•Heart 360: Record and track your health results online and get heart health facts. You can share your results with your doctor.

Getting started is simple. Just sign up.

You will find links to help you eat better, lose weight and exercise more. You can get help to limit alcohol use and quit smoking. You can also get:

•A medication tracker wallet card

•A blood pressure journal

•Daily tips on Facebook

•Community resources

Make a promise to yourself

Take the Million Hearts™ pledge at http://millionhearts.hhs.gov and start to make a difference today.

Get more information about heart disease and stroke

For heart disease and risk information, call the American Heart Association at 1-800-AHA-USA1 (1-800-242-8721) or contact your nearest office. Or, visit www.heart.org.

For stroke information, call the American Stroke Association at 1-888-4-STROKE (1-888-478-7653). Or, visit www.strokeassociation.org.

1http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/lcod.htm2http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/ WhyBloodPressureMatters/ Stroke-and-High-Blood-Pressure_UCM_301824_Article.jsp

3http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HighBloodPressure/ AboutHighBloodPressure/About-High-Blood-Pressure_UCM_002050_Article.jsp

4http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/AboutCholesterol/ What-Your-Cholesterol-Levels-Mean_UCM_305562_Article.jsp

5http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/ PreventionTreatmentofHighCholesterol/ Prevention-and-Treatment-of-High-Cholesterol_UCM_001215_Article.jsp

6http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/PhysicalActivity/StartWalking/ Get-Moving-Easy-Tips-to-Get-Active_UCM_307978_Article.jsp

7http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/lose_wt/risk.htm 8http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/ Alcoholic-Beverages-and-Cardiovascular-Disease_UCM_305864_Article.jsp

Aetna is the brand name used for products and services provided by one or more of the Aetna group of subsidiary companies, including Aetna Life Insurance Company and its affiliates (Aetna).This material is for information only. Health information programs provide general health information and are not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a physician or other health care professional. Health benefits and health insurance plans contain exclusions and limitations. Information is believed to be accurate as of the production date; however, it is subject to change. For more information about Aetna plans, refer to www.aetna.com.

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©2013 Aetna Inc. 45.22.300.1-Spring E (3/13)

Aetna Disease Management program informationThis program is part of your Aetna benefits. There’s no extra cost and much to gain.

Start your healthier life today with an Aetna nurse who will be your own health coach. Your coach does not replace your doctor. As always, you, your family and your doctor decide the care you need. But with more information, you and your doctor will be better able to manage your health — together.